Check for Weevils in Stored Food

Don't do this at home or anywhere else! I had simmered down and deboned the carcass of a lovely broasted chicken for soup. The broth was perfect, as was the fresh veggies and spices that I added.

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I was going to make some hearty and healthy chicken veggie rice soup, when I realized I was out of rice. But not to worry, I had a box of chicken rice mix in the pantry. Now, to my credit, it wasn't my pantry but I am living here and did organize it. So, I should have been more careful.

Into my pristine soup, I proceeded to pour a box of rice and it was full of weevils. There is no saving it, no way to describe how angry I was but I thought..."I will not let this soup die in vain, I will warn my friends on TF and they will check like I didn't".

So, there you have it. If you are using any grain product, no matter if you bought it this morning, be sure and pour it into a bowl before you mix it in with your ingredients. Let my uncooked and wasted soup be a lesson for you all.

Sandi, in the years of all my cooking I have done the same type goofs. Just two months ago I was making the most delicious breakfast and grabbed the fat free half and half to make my gravy a little creamier and it was spoiled. Like you I didn't check it before I poured. I almost cried. We ate dry cereal that day. This won't be your last goof nor will it be mine.

Poured a pound of pasta spirals in the boling water and after a couple minutes I freaked out and thought it was weevils but it turned out part of the teflon had come loose from the bottom of the pan and separated in to little balls so that's another one to keep an eye on :-( Needless to say I didn't risk eating it and the pan will now be used to soak my feet for pedicures!

This is great advice, but such a hard-learned lesson! I remember my mother doing this when I was a child... especially with pasta. It was often my job to do the "bug check." I was glad to do it, and I usually remember the lessons learned at her side (and Dad's) in the kitchen. But alas, just recently I didn't check an old taco sauce seasoning packet that I found lingering in the far reaches of the cabinet. Just didn't think about it, you know? Pasta, yes, and rice and flour and the like, certainly, but seasoning packets? There was no telling how long that packet had been there, and I should have checked. Sure enough, it was buggy! Thankfully it poured out in a clump and I was able to just scrape out the contaminated part of the ground beef. If it had been poured into soup, it would have been a total loss like yours. Just a reminder that we should check all pantry goods, just as I crack EVERY egg into an individual bowl before adding to my recipe.

This happened to me this past summer with my box of dry pancake mix. I learned my lesson from now on to always check rice/grains/pancake mix by sifting it into a bowl and check and double check for these ugly bugs. Thank you for this reminder.

I transfer all groceries from store box to tupperware or clear jars with lids. I most often buy in bulk at the food coop and must store in my own containers. These are grain weevils and can be on anything from your rice cakes, baby food, cake mixes, puddings, pasta/rice, cereal, etc. By transferring upon purchase, it then allows me to examine the packaging more carefully, and then know/date when my purchase was made. I have done this at least the last 25 years.

Another thing to prevent/kill any weevils that may be in just purchased foods is as soon as you get home with the dry goods, store the dry good in the freezer for 2-3 days. This will kill any buggies (like the first frost does in the winter) that may be there while they are too small to even see. Then the dry goods can be stored indefinitely. No weevils.

How the heck do I get rid of these nasty critters? I first got them last summer. From where, I have no clue. We moved and I tossed all boxed stuff out, etc. Everything seemed to be ok. This summer they are back! I just bought some boxed mac and cheese, opened it tonight...guess what?! They are in everything. I can't afford to be throwing away food! Please, someone, how do I get rid of them?

Kim from NV

Answers:

Weevils in My Stored Food

I put a bay leaf in my flour, baking goods etc. and store them in a air tight container (or zip-lock bags). I even tape one on the outside of for good measure. I hope this helps :-) (09/22/2004)

By Pam, Bloomington, MN

Weevils in My Stored Food

I either store my dry goods and flour type stuff in glass jars or I store that stuff in the refrigerator - that includes jello, pudding mix, brownie and cake mix, flour, sugar etc. (09/22/2004)

Weevils in My Stored Food

Try putting your products in the freezer for 24-48 hrs before storing them in your cupboards. This kills any eggs that you have brought in from the store. This method has worked well for me with flour, dry cereal etc. (10/20/2004)

Weevils in My Stored Food

Try Pantry Pest sold in garden stores or possibly can be found in department stores. Contains a female scent that attracts and kills the male moths and eventually you will get rid of the infestation. (10/23/2004)

Weevils in My Stored Food

I hear that sprinkling sage in you cubboard will help, apparently they will stay away from sage.

(02/06/2005)

By Beth, Okla. city, Ok

Weevils in My Stored Food

Bay leaves crushed and sprinkled in your cupboard will get rid of them. Store all things like mac and flour in big pickle jars. Place a bay leaf in the jar, you won't have bugs. Be sure to freeze corn meal and cereals in boxes. This will kill the eggs.

Bay leaves even works for fleas on pets. Crush the leaves and vacuum them up. Each time you vacuum from then on, you will kill the flea eggs. Put them around doggies bed and rub over doggies fur. (04/07/2006)